Comedian Mick Molloy has come home to roost, buying his first-ever pub, in partnership with Riverland Group.
The four-storey Railway Hotel Brunswick, opposite Brunswick station, is a heritage-listed pub built in 1889.
It saw headlines in late 2018 when its former owner was sent to prison after pleading guilty to selling nearly $70k worth of drugs to undercover cops.
The Hotel has been closed ever since, but two years ago, shortly before the pandemic, the vacant site was acquired by Riverland Group.
Molloy, a 55-year-old father of two, is a host of Channel 7’s The Front Bar, screening during the AFL season, and front man of Triple M’s national drive program. This month he announced plans to retire as a host for the radio station.
A major renovation and extension is now taking place at the Railway, destined to include two indoor bars, a new beer garden, courtyard bar and playground, and dining area. The upper levels are being converted into commercial studios.
The new iteration is scheduled to open late January, holding a 3am liquor licence and with capacity for around 965 people.
Previously known as Noise Bar, Molloy is eager to run comedy nights and bring a return to live music, but told the Herald Sun he didn’t want to “ruin the magic” of a good pub operation, so has volunteered to be the eyes and ears on the other side of the bar.
“It’s like letting the mice run the cheese factory,” he says.
